Drinking tube holder



'June 19, 1945; j e. E. ROUX v DRINKING T BE HOLDER Filed May 19, 1944 GRACE E. ROUX.

J y ms Patented June 19, 1945 Q DRINKING T BE-Hotlink I omen. Roux, Haniford calif. Application May 19, 1944;1stfiam. 536,398

' ,lClaim. (on. 65-65) This invention relates to drinking tube holders.

An object of the invention is to provide an excellent device for supporting and holding the glass drinking tube on areceptacle, such as an ordinary glass, which is excellent for the use of invalids and sick persons.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a novel holder capable of holding test tubes in laboratories and like places.

A still further object of the invention is to produce a novel and eflicient holder for a drinking tube in a glass which will enable the patient to transfer a glass with one hand.

Another object of the invention is the construction of an efficient and novel holder that is adjustable, whereby it can be attached to various sizes and thicknesses of glassware.

, From the foregoing it will be appreciated that a novel and substantial holderv of this kind will decrease breakage, whereby a material saving is accomplished, while at the same time the comfort of the patient is enhanced,

With the foregoing and other objects in view my invention comprises certain novel construc- I the drinking tube in horizontal section.

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation.

Figure 4 is a perspective view' of the drinking tube holder.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of another embodiment of this invention, while Figure 6 is a perspective view of the same.

Referring to the drawing, in which in Figures l to 4 the preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed, I designates the primary triangular jaw and 2 is the auxiliary triangular jaw. On the inner end of the upperhorizontal portion 3 and on the inner end of the upper horizontal portion 4 of the two jaws, is formed an expansible loop 5; this loop is positioned horizontally for receiving the drinking tube 6. The holder is preferably formed of a springy or resilient material so that it will perform the .desired functions as will be hereinafter described, Further, itis tobe noted that in both of the embodiments of this invention the entire device is formed from a single piece of material,

such as wire.

The upper portion 3a of the primary jaw I has its inner end free and likewise the upper portion 4a of the auxiliary jaw'has its inner end free.

Toinsert the tube 6 in loop 5, the 'operator' preferably places fingers A and B on the device,

as shown in Fig. 4, the finger A pressing against the outer corner of the primary triangular jaw I and the finger B pressing against the outer corner of the auxiliary triangular jaw 2. Then inward pressure is applied which actually causes an enlargement or expansion of loop 5 to the position of 5a,, dotted line, whereby the drinking tube 6 can'be easily positioned in the loop and then upon releasing the loop, the tube will be securely clamped. When the holder is placed upon a receptacle, such as glass 1, the jaws I and 2 will assume a spaced position, Fig. 2, to accommodate the thickness of the glass, and not only will the device be securely clamped on the glass, but it will also exert a slightly greater clamping action upon the drinking tube 6 by reason of the tendency toslightlyreduce the size of the loop around the drinking tube. In other Words, the placing of the holder device upon the receptacle results in a dual function, to wit: the clamping of the glass and the more secure clamping of the drinking tube in the spring loop; this secure action of the holder device produces a very eflicient and stable structure.

In Figures 5 and 6, there is shown an embodiment comprising a primary triangular jaw 8 and an auxiliary jaw 9, the jaw 9 being constituted by a pair of depending fingers In. Each finger is formed by a folded portion of the wire, the inner end of which terminates in the loop 5. When the fingers A and B are pressing upon the fingers H], the loop 5 will be slightly expanded, as shown at 511 in Figure 4, thus allowing easy insertion of the drinking tube 6; when the fingers A and B are removed from fingers ID, the springy action of the wire will cause the loop 5 to bind or clamp the drinking tube 6 suf-v ficiently to hold it in a stable position. As shown in Figure 5, the primary jaw -8 is placed on the outside ofthe glass 1 with the auxiliary jaw 9 on the inside of the glass. In this structure, the action of the holding device is very satisfactory, both for clamping it in place upon a glass and holding the drinking tube in correct position within the glass, for use by the patient,

who can handle the same with one hand very freely.

In both of the embodiments there is shown a primary and an auxiliary clamping jaw having an integral, preferably horizontal, expansible and clamping loop; the jaws can be easily manipulated by the user to permit easy positioning of the drinking tube in the loop, and then permit the loop to tightly clamp the drinking tube for holdin it n an e ent positionwhile have es ribesi the p et nce embe ments of my invention and illustrated the same in the accompanying drawing, certain miner changes or alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which this invention relates; durterations or changes as shall .iairiy falliwithin the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

As a new article of manufacture, a drinking tube holder formed from one piece of springy material and comprising a triangular vertical primary jaw and a triangular vertical auxiliary jaw, one within the other, said jaws being provided with upper horizontal portions having inner free ends, said jaws being also provided with upper horizontal portions having at their inner ea l an n ral, h Qnta exnans h e lo said iqop x ndin in ly PQYQil the in sides of said jaws, and the widest'ends of said vertical triangular jaws being at the top of said holder, whereby the fingers of the operator can press inward upon the angle-end-corners at the top of saidjjaws for expanding said horizontal loop.

GRACE E. ROUX. 

